World

36 Hours in Ukraine With Joe Biden

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden waves as he arrives at Borispol airport outside Kiev, Ukraine on Monday April 21, 2014.

Image: Sergei Chuzavkov/Associated Press

By Brian Ries and Ashley Codianni2014-04-22 21:03:24 UTC

Vice President Joe Biden is headed home after a whirlwind trip to Ukraine.

Biden traveled to Kiev to meet with a handful of government leaders and send a message of support for Ukraine’s democracy, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, a senior U.S. official said. Biden also went to speak to all Ukrainians and to call for urgent implementation of the agreement reached in Geneva last week.

Although he was only there for 36 hours, Biden met with acting President Oleksandr Turchynov, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukrainian legislators from the Rada and a group of civil society leaders at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine. The vice president also made an unannounced stop at St. Michael's Monastery, which provided refuge for injured and hungry protesters during the months-long protests in Kiev.

BIDEN IN UKRAINE

Vice President Joe Biden touched down in Kiev at 3:24 p.m. local time and departed Air Force Two wearing his signature aviators.

President Obama and Biden reportedly had a number of conversations that led to this trip. The U.S. wanted to send a high-ranking official to assure Ukraine of the United States’ support. Biden’s diplomatic experience made him the White House’s top choice.

Wheels down Kyiv: Today, the VP arrived in Ukraine for meetings w/ government leaders and members of civil society. pic.twitter.com/V7f16UAGxl

Biden then visited the U.S. embassy in Kiev, where he spoke with personnel and their families.

The United States embassy in Kiev is staffed by approximately 181 Americans and more than 560 Ukrainians. Its ambassador is Geoffrey Pyatt. First opened in 1992, the U.S. Embassy moved to a new $247 million building in January 2012.

A senior U.S. official told reporters that Biden was hoping to bring a message of national unity and express the United States’ hopes for successful constitutional reform that takes into account the perspectives and aspirations of all Ukrainians.

After their meeting, Turchynov said Biden stressed that the U.S. welcomes and supports changes in Ukraine and remains ready to comprehensively assist the country.

Turchynov reportedly said the majority of Ukrainians "stand for a single, indivisible, unitary and democratic Ukraine with the increase and broadening of the rights of regions,” and that "Ukrainians are ready to defend their country from military aggression of the Russian Federation.”

Biden also met with Ukrainian legislators, assuring the group: “We stand with you.”

Meeting with nine members of the Ukrainian parliament, Biden promised support from the United States as Ukraine heads toward the crucial May 25 presidential election. About $11 million of the $50 million dollar U.S. aid package will go to ensuring the integrity of Ukrainian the vote.

“I want you to know that we are not suggesting we have the answers for you, but we’re merely suggesting that we stand ready to stand with you in every endeavor that you undertake to generate the united prosperous and coherent Ukraine you’re all fighting for.”

Biden also met with several lawmakers, including Ukrainian politician and former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko. True to his sanguine form, Biden looked up at the 6'7" boxer, smiled, shook his hand and squeezed Klitschko's right bicep.

Biden met with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and thanked him for "the incredible leadership shown under incredibly, incredibly difficult circumstances.”

One month after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Biden told Yatsenyuk, “No nation has the right to simply grab land from another nation -- no nation has that right…And we will never recognize Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea and neither will the world.”

“The road ahead is difficult,” Biden said. “But you will not walk this road alone. We will walk it with you.”

But wait! Biden made an unannounced stop at Kiev's Mikhailovsky Golden Domed Monastery.

After meeting with Ukrainian leaders, Vice President Biden made an unannounced stop at Mikhailovsky Golden Domed Monastery, where many protesters and activists found shelter and support during the months-long riots in Kiev. According to the vice president’s office, "On Nov. 30, St. Michael's (which is a part of Mikhailovsky Monastery) provided refuge when peaceful student protesters fled from riot police on a night of violence at the Maidan. The church continued to provide sanctuary and gave medical treatment to the wounded in the weeks that followed.”

While at St. Michael's, Biden took a moment to light a candle with Bishop Agapit.

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